quote:

Originally posted by CURTIS REED:
Is the nostalgia for the old 7.3 trucks just because they didn't require a lot of expensive maintenance? The reason I ask is the new trucks having 900 lbs-ft of torque will pull your stuff apart and makes me wonder how much torque the 7.3s made.

I have towed with a 12 valve Cummins turned up a bunch and a 2017 Cummins and it was so much more powerful it was crazy. I don't mean to disparage anyone's older Ford just curious.

Curtis

I read some of the 2000's models getting 500ish torque.

quote:

Originally posted by Bob Payton:

quote:

Originally posted by CURTIS REED:
Is the nostalgia for the old 7.3 trucks just because they didn't require a lot of expensive maintenance? The reason I ask is the new trucks having 900 lbs-ft of torque will pull your stuff apart and makes me wonder how much torque the 7.3s made.

I have towed with a 12 valve Cummins turned up a bunch and a 2017 Cummins and it was so much more powerful it was crazy. I don't mean to disparage anyone's older Ford just curious.

Curtis

I read some of the 2000's models getting 500ish torque.

Thanks Bob. That's only 95± more than my gas 6.2 so I really don't see why everyone loves them sooo much, IF you have a heavy load, compared to today's trucks.

Curtis

Gas milage is a big thing. I would tow one way to the track with my old 454 dually and it would use a full tank to get to the track. Id fill up and it was another full tank to get home. That was pulling a 28ft trailer with one car and a golf cart. Plus I would burn out exhaust manifolds and just be generally pissed off. With the 7.3 I can set my cruse on 70 and forget about it. I now have a 34ft trailer and I usually haul two cars and a golf cart. I can go 450 miles on a tank.

quote:

Originally posted by Bob Payton:
Gas milage is a big thing. I would tow one way to the track with my old 454 dually and it would use a full tank to get to the track. Id fill up and it was another full tank to get home. That was pulling a 28ft trailer with one car and a golf cart. Plus I would burn out exhaust manifolds and just be generally pissed off. With the 7.3 I can set my cruse on 70 and forget about it. I now have a 34ft trailer and I usually haul two cars and a golf cart. I can go 450 miles on a tank.

Gotcha.

my 6.7 has been flawless. Not one single problem since ive owned it and ive already put damned near a thousand miles on it. Not at all like the first motor that puked at 80k.

Preface to say, I have owned 3 f350,PS. '97,01,02 all with the 7.3. all were relatively trouble free save for the '97 transmissions.
Current 02, with 185, has been just fine, but maintenance is the key for longevity. I keep it serviced, it has a 2 micron by pass filter on it, and I probably change oil more than I should.

Buying a used diesel is going to be a crap shoot, I have heard the 6.4 is just a throwaway engine, and the 6.7 has more electronics and gadgets to go wrong, so you need to find something still with a transferable warranty or an aftermarket warranty, as they can get into the national debt to get repairs done.

The other down side, with the used diesel market is hotshot haulers, transporters, freight and boat haulers that are unscrupulous.
Word has it they run them for a while, switch dash, body computers, ecm's and run the **** out of them. Keep the repair chain away from dealers and anybody that records the mileage. Then with high mileage they put the old dash, computer, etc back in and sell or trade as a "lower mileage" truck. You buy a truck that says 100-150K and really it has 250-300+

Look for something that an older couple used to tow a travel trailer or a toy hauler, look for a single owner with records. Look for the elusive unicorn......